CVE-2004-2303

MTools Mformat <3.9.9 - Info Disclosure

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2004-2303. PoCs published by Sebastian Krahmer.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a privilege escalation vulnerability in mformat (CVE-2004-2303) by manipulating the .mtoolsrc file to overwrite /etc/ld.so.preload, then loading a malicious shared library to escalate privileges to root.

Description

MTools Mformat before 3.9.9, when installed setuid root, creates files with world-readable and world-writable permissions, which allows local users to read and overwrite files.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Sebastian Krahmer · perllocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/23759

This exploit leverages a privilege escalation vulnerability in mformat (CVE-2004-2303) by manipulating the .mtoolsrc file to overwrite /etc/ld.so.preload, then loading a malicious shared library to escalate privileges to root.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: mtools/mformat <= 3.9.9
No auth needed
Prerequisites: mformat must be installed as setUID root · local access to the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Patch, Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_mandrake
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2004:016
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/15317
Patch, Vendor Advisory vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/9746

Scores

EPSS 0.0063
EPSS Percentile 45.4%

Details

Status published
Products (9)
mtools/mformat 3.9.1
mtools/mformat 3.9.2
mtools/mformat 3.9.3
mtools/mformat 3.9.4
mtools/mformat 3.9.5
mtools/mformat 3.9.6
mtools/mformat 3.9.7
mtools/mformat 3.9.8
mtools/mformat 3.9.9
Published Dec 31, 2004
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026